Garth Brooks & Fishing

Hi folks,

Here’s a thought: If I buy a Garth Brooks “endorsed” guitar do you think I would be able to play and sing as well as Garth Brooks?

Probably not. Matter of fact, I’m damn sure my singing and my guitar playing would be so bad that our golden retrievers would exit the room stage left and very likely not return until I have put the guitar down, stopped any attempt at singing, and done some serious coaxing to get them back in the room. Ditto for Dixie, other humans, and any other living thing in the room who had even the slightest degree of mobility.

As farfetched as this sounds, almost every day we hear from someone who uses this same sort of logic about fishing. Let me explain.

I know FLW and B.A.S.S. are big time sports these days. Lots of B-I-G prize money in this arena any more. Certainly lots of celebrity for anyone who wins a major tournament. And with that celebrity comes, ta-da, more M-O-N-E-Y. It’s out there just waiting for the picking by an established pro who has done well consistently in big events.

Endorsement deals, free or deeply discounted equipment such as boats, motors, fish finders, and all sorts of other accessories and gear. Just waiting to be plucked. All the pro needs to do is tell all of us just how great this stuff is.

Is it any more farfetched for a fisherman to think that by using a product that bears a pro fisherman’s name or likeness or has been endorsed by him or her to expect tournament winning results when out on the water? I have no doubt that any guitar that Garth Brooks may endorse would be a great instrument and of the highest quality, but just because he’s endorsed it surely doesn’t mean the user will become an impresario as soon as he or she has the instrument in his hands.

I think it’s the same way with fishing gear, tackle, baits, and anything else fishing that a pro fishing celebrity may endorse or use. Pretty sure whatever it is would be good quality, well made, effective when used properly, and worthy of being considered. But just because you have a ton of “endorsed” or “tournament winning”  lures, rods, reels, line, and the like in your arsenal doesn’t mean you will “sing and play like Garth Brooks”. Far from it.

Having guided and fished for more years than I care to acknowledge I have made a few observations. There’s one you can take to the bank.

If you’re not out on the water there’s an absolute certainty that you will not catch any fish. No ifs, ands, or buts; no water, no fish. You want fish you need water. The more time you spend on the water the more fish you’re likely to catch.

And the more time you spend on the water the better you will get at fishing and the skills required therein. If all you do is buy all that fluffy gear with someone’s name on it or that has been endorsed by so-and-so but limit your actual fishing time then you’re being totally unrealistic if you then go out infrequently and expect to catch trophies.

I tried playing golf many years ago. I took lessons, hit balls on the driving range, spent hours on practice greens putting, and finally got a chance to play a round with the club pro after about 8 weeks of intense practice. By the 3^rd or 4^th hole I was having an absolutely terrible time. I missed the ball teeing off, flubbed shots, and putted like I was seriously vision impaired. Finally I “lost it” and blew my stack. Only after my tantrum was over did the pro saddle up to my side with some advice that I haven’t forgotten to this day.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re not that good”, he said.

My point? Well, if you’re not out on the water frequently, like maybe a couple of days a week or more, and yet expect to become proficient at not only fishing, but catching, you’re just not being realistic. And all the pro this or endorsed that won’t make much of a difference. You’ll have a great guitar, but that just won’t make you Garth Brooks.

If you do want to eventually be the Garth Brooks of fishing then here’s a suggestion: Get out there and fish! Enjoy this beautiful country, nature, fresh air, and terrific scenery from the water and soon enough we’ll be featuring your trophies on our “Braggin’ Board” and in future Newsletters!

This week we are proud to announce we have the new Enigma rods designed and developed by Aaron Martens in stock, as well as plenty of great deals!

Thanks to all of our great friends and customers who have supported us and passed our name on to their friends. We know we are only here by making sure your needs are our first and only priority. Please let me know if we ever fail to meet and exceed your expectations.

Tight Lines,

Tom Ashby